Cherry harvest looking good for 2023

WENATCHEE — The cherry harvest is coming in full this year, according to the Washington State Tree Fruit Association. The weather conditions that have played havoc with some other Washington crops, like hay, have been a real boon for cherry growers, according to Tim Kovis, WSTFA's director of communications...

Fire season outlook grim

Residents urged to use caution when recreating, working outdoors

OLYMPIA — This year’s fire season is upon us, according to Washington State Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz. “Fire activity has increased considerably from earlier spring months,” Franz said in a press conference Friday. “We've seen about 600 fires burn roughly 17,000 acres statewide so far. On lands under Department of Natural Resources protection, we have had more than 330 fires burn just over 1,200 acres. And these numbers obviously are going to increase as the season goes forward. But it's clear that fire season has arrived and we're in it.”...

Legals for June, 30 2023

BBCC announces academic achievers

MOSES LAKE – Big Bend Community College announced Thursday their 2023 spring semester President’s and Vice President’s lists. The President’s List features students who completed 12 or more credits with a GPA of 3.75 or higher...

10U, 11U Moses Lake All-Stars see high placings

MOSES LAKE – After high finishes at last week’s Golden Glove tournaments in Yakima, the 10U Moses Lake All-Stars (Gold) and 11U Moses Lake All-Stars get ready to travel to the North Washington State Tournament next weekend.

Tentative Quincy hospital construction start announced

QUINCY — Construction for the new Quincy Valley Medical Center is tentatively scheduled for this fall. “September 11 is our go date for construction,” said QVMC board member Anthony Gonzalez. “We’re trying to get this thing off the ground as quickly as we can.” ...

Moses Lake student makes university dean list

EREA, Ohio - Stephanie Foryan, a graduate of Moses Lake High School, has been named in Baldwin Wallace University’s Spring 2023 Dean List, according to an announcement from the university.

CWU nutrition program helps student find her passion

ELLENSBURG - When Leah Dambacher moved to Washington in the fall of 2020 for a dietetic internship with CWU, nothing felt certain. She wasn’t sure how to apply her undergraduate degree, she didn’t know anyone in Ellensburg, and the world was in the midst of a pandemic...

Legals for June, 26 2023

Wenatchee River salmon fishing to close

WENATCHEE - Salmon fishing on the Wenatchee River will close one hour after official sunset Friday, said an announcement by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. In-season catch-and-release estimates indicate fishing limits on wild spring Chinook will be met by the end of the day...

Commentary: Snake River Whac-A-Mole needs to stop

To supporters of the four Lower Snake River dams, the latest news that President Biden continues to pursue dam breaching is not shocking, but surprising, considering the growing shortfall in electricity predicted in the western states and his desire to dramatically reduce carbon emissions. Biden’s March 21 announcement started another “Whac-A-Mole” game to determine the dams’ future. The news was reported in a Wall Street Journal commentary by Faith Bottum titled “Biden’s fishy plan to breach the Snake River dams.” She wrote that Biden is determined to bring “healthy and abundant salmon runs back to the Colorado River system.” (He really meant the Columbia River.)

GALLERY: Local sports

COLUMBIA BASIN – Almira/Coulee-Hartline and Soap Lake wrapped up spring practices with a jamboree in Coulee City over the weekend, while the 18U Columbia Basin River Dogs hosted the Jerry Henderson Memorial Tournament in Ephrata. Check out these photos from the tow events over this past weekend.

Mattawa considering second cleanup event

MATTAWA — The spring cleanup in Mattawa was a big enough success that city officials are considering a second one in the summer or fall. “We collected 10.8 tons, which is 21,000 pounds of solid waste,” said city Public Works Director Juan Ledezma during the Mattawa City Council meeting June 15...

School is OUT for MLSD retiree

‘I truly love the seven (and) eight-year-olds. I’ve always just related.’

MOSES LAKE — Joan Dopps said her career as a second grade teacher started with a visit to her former second grade teacher. “I went through many different bouts of ‘what am I going to do.’ I worked a year in a bank; I got an AA degree from Big Bend,” she said. “I went to visit (her former teacher) in California. And then I came back home and quit the bank, commuted to Ellensburg and became a teacher.” ...

Legals for June, 19 2023

Pigskin fun

Warriors, Eagles compete in spring jamboree

COULEE CITY – Both Almira/Coulee-Hartline and Soap Lake wrapped up spring football at a jamboree in Coulee City on Friday, joined by football teams from Wellpinit, Curlew, Republic, Waterville-Mansfield and Wilbur-Creston-Keller. “I love this spring format – there’s no pressure, we’re just playing football again,” Walsh said. “It’s fun. The kids are excited about today, and they did a good job. We had a good spring camp and we’re excited for the fall.” ...

18U River Dogs prepare for Jerry Henderson Memorial Tournament

EPHRATA – The 18U Columbia Basin River Dogs enter their third tournament of the season this weekend, preparing for the Jerry Henderson Memorial Tournament that will be hosted at Johnson-O’Brien Stadium in Ephrata beginning Friday night.

Triple play

Knights, Mavs and Jacks wrap up spring ball with scrimmage play

ROYAL CITY – Three local football squads wrapped up spring practices in Royal City on Tuesday, with Moses Lake, Quincy and Royal competing in a scrimmage at David Nielsen Memorial Field in Royal City...

Royal parents learn to identify drug risk factors

ROYAL CITY — Between 20 and 30 people gathered at Royal Intermediate School June 8 for Healthy Youth, Healthy Families. The bilingual event, sponsored by Educational Service District 105, among other organizations, was designed to help families identify signs of substance abuse in youth. “My demographic right now is particularly 10- to 13-year-olds,” said Ariana Martinez, a student assistance professional for ESD 105 attached to the Royal School District. “They're the ones kind of keeping up with the Tik Tok trends, whether that's using tampons to get drunk, putting them in alcohol, or challenges (to see) who can show up the highest at school and not get caught.” ...

Legals for June, 14 2023